Italian Baja 2019: Global impact

Reached quota 56 entries, including the Chinese crews and the Argentinian Terranova

Lastentry was signed by Paolo Mora, just to maintain his personal record. It was a point of honor for the driver from Parma, year by year, to be the first in sending his entry at the Italian Baja, regularly defeating his challengers in the online “click day” procedure. 
This time, on the contrary, he signed last entry with his Mitsubishi L200 Evo, closing a list of 56 participants, including the Chinese Xu Wei Tai and Wang Xiang with a Volkswagen Off Road, welcome return after their last year’s presence, and the Argentinian Orlando Terranova with a Mini John Cooper Works, known at the Dakar reports as he twice reached the first position in the overall rank (2013 and 2014) and this would be enough to imagine him as a possible winner of the Pordenone race. 

Back in love with the Italian Baja also the Lithuanian Benediktas Vanagas with a Toyota Hilux, looking for the first positions of the podium among few other drivers like Jakub Przygonski (Mini John Cooper Works), Vladimir Vasilyev (Toyota Hilux) and Martin Prokop (Ford Raptor). The third Leg of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas seems to be dominated by T1.1 and T1.2, four-wheel drive prototypes. 

T3 represent a mystery yet, the improved vehicles, as by FIA definition, commonly called tubular  Side by Side. Powerful and light vehicles, with limited speed to avoid the risk of losing control becoming dangerous. The show is guaranteed, along the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds, ready to be faced by competitors after a flood generated by the incessant rain suffered in May and the snow thawing. 

Organizers are alert, as part of the track could need to be redefined. The Italian Baja is anyway used to always solve in extremis critical situations, therefore there is a general state of calm.

Source Italian Baja official press release
Photo MCH